Arjuna P.O.V
I was deep inside the forest practicing on my skills, there was a small hole in the tree in front of me at a lone distance, it was my target, I aimed at the hole and shoot an arrow, it pierced the hole from the middle. I smiled and string another arrow to shoot in the same direction, just then I heard a scream from the west, I quickly ran in that direction and saw a wolf growling at the tree, suddenly a calmness surrounded me like a blanket, I ignore the feeling and focus on the danger in front of me. My eyes moved towards the tree and I saw a woman hanging on the tree branch screaming in fear. She was crying for help, I briskly string an arrow and shoot it in front of wild wolf to scare him, he turned his head at me and growled in my direction and then running back in the wild area of forest. I made my way towards the giant tree looking at the woman by raising my head upward. My eyes widened a little as I took her in, she was beautiful, there was no doubt about that but the question was what is she doing here at this place?
"You can come down now, it is safe here" I said in calm voice, she turned her head down and looked around for the wolf, heaving a sigh of relief when she saw the wolf nowhere around. "I c-can't, I don't know how to" she uttered in fear which made me chuckle, I have never saw fear on her face in my life but right now she is fearing from the height. I extended my arms forward "You can jump now" I said to which she shook her head. "I am afraid" she murmured, I sighed and took a deep breath "I won't let you fall, trust me" I said truthfully, I would never let her fall, never.
She loosened her grip from branch and fall down, I quickly caught her in my arms, tingles spread on my skin as I took her in my arms, it happens every time I touch her, a smile appeared on my face as I put her on the ground, "You can open your eyes, you are safe now" I said softly removing my arms from her waist, she slowly opened her eyes, brown iris looking into mine but I could still see green in them. "Thanks" she murmured breathless, my close proximity was affecting her which made me internally smile, she still get affected by me after all this years.
My Prakriti.
After the introduction, I walked her outside of the forest, there was a small house which she made for her. After taking my leave I went back home. In the whole journey I was thinking about Prakriti, why did she change her appearance into Manha, what is the purpose?
To know about it, I played along with her.
I can recognize my life any where, in any form and for that I don't even have to look at her, her being close to me is enough for me.
As time passed and my encounter with Manha became frequent, this made me understand that Prakriti is testing me that's why she is creating these situation. My innocent wife thinks that I can't see through her Maya but she is forgetting that I am connected to her by heart and soul and I will do any test she will put me through because in the end I know no one can separate us and put drift between us, not even my own Prakriti.
***
Manha made rice pudding for me as I sat waiting for the deliciousness made by my wife. She served the bowl full of pudding in front of me. I took a bite and savour the taste, closing my eyes, a moan escaped from my lips. "It is the best pudding in the world" I said truthfully and it was. She always made delicious food. She turned her head around and low sob came out of her mouth, I wanted to tell her the whole truth there but I stopped myself, it is her test and I will have to wait for her to disclose her identity to me on her own.
"Since the day I met you, I fell in love with you" she said making my eyes widened and my heart beat faster, I have fallen in love with her when I, myself didn't know the meaning of it. "I want to marry you" she said further, I stood up from the seat in surprise and looked at her with mixed emotions.I was flabbergasted when I heard her saying this. She want me to marry an unknown woman. At last I accepted the proposal and promised to marry her tomorrow, I could hear her sobs as I was walking away from the house, my heart was breaking, in that moment I just wanted to hold her and never let her go.
***
Next day I reached Manha house, I was looking at the nature around us, birds were chirping, wind was swaying, nature was happy that once more I will get the chance to marry my beloved.
"Gandivadhari Arjuna" she called me from behind, I turned my head towards her and my breath hitched in my throat, she was wearing red and yellow lehnga and she looked like a goddess. I could stare at her whole day. Then my eyes moved towards her face, her eyes were swollen and she was staring at me with pained look. I gave her a soft smile, I wanted her to stop the pain she was feeling. "Manha" I uttered, she looked at me with hopeful expression.
"Manha, do you want to say something before marriage?" I asked.
Her eyes filled with tears and she slowly shook her head.
This is not the end Prakriti, this is the new beginning of our life, this task will make our relation more strong and firm.
We both moved towards the backyard of house where she prepared for the marriage, once again I married to my Prakriti, whole nature witness this ceremony. Her eyes filled with tears during the whole ceremony, I was waiting for her to tell me the truth and I knew time was coming near.
"Are you happy? what will your family think about the marriage, what about your wives and mostly what about Prakriti?" She asked me, on the verge of breaking down after we completed the ritual.
"I am happy here and I know Prakriti will understand this" I responded, I knew she will understand because there is no sin in marrying your wife again. "You broke her promise, how will she understand this?" she asked in frustration.
"I know her very well, she won't be angry".
"I am your Prakriti, Arya" suddenly she shouted in pain looking at me with a look of betrayal in her eyes.
Finally.
"I took this form to take your test but you broke my trust, you have proved to me that I am nothing and you can abandoned me any time" she cried, tears falling from her eyes, I have never saw her crying this much and now she is crying in front of me which shattered my heart. I slowly walked towards her and wiped her tears, a smile appeared on my face at her innocence. She looked at me in frustration when she saw my smiling face. "You are smiling?" she asked in astonishment.
"On your innocence" I said with a chuckle, she looked at me in confusion. "What did you think that I wan't aware of your disguise, I have known everything from the start, my dear Prakrite" I said, her mouth fell open in shock "Remember what I have told you when you were Manha" I further said, suddenly her eyes widened as she concluded the meaning of my conversation with her. She started crying again, I pulled her into hug putting my chin on her head. "You are my world, my wife, I will marry you again and again if the situation arise because I will be fulfilling the promises I have given to you during our marriage" I said kissing on her head. She hiccuped as sob raked from her body in guilt.
She broke the hug and looked at me helplessly "I have made a grave mistake by doubting you" she said in anguish. I shook my head and put both of my hands her cheeks "No you haven't, there is nothing for you to apologize, I willingly did this to let you know that whenever you will come forward in any form to take my test, I will be present every time to calm your mind and let you understand your importance in my life" I said with a soft smile and wiped her tears again.
Me and Prakriti is not different, we are two body but one soul.
Suddenly she froze in her place and looked at me with wide eyes "You can recognize me in any form?" she asked slowly, I sighed and gave her an understanding smile. "I don't need to look at you to know your presence" I responded.
Prakriti P.O.V
That means he recognized me in heaven?
"I could feel your presence without even looking at you" he said with a small smile on his face, I chuckled and with quick stride sat beside him.
I remember our conversation that time in Dwarka, he could recognize me from anywhere and at the time in heaven, he knew it was me. "Arya" I started saying, he pulled me in a hug once again, I could hear his steady heart beat when I put my head on his chest. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Prakriti, I understand before you utter anything" he murmured softly hugging me tightly, I sighed and a smile grazed my lips.
I am a fool to ever doubt him, I was taking his test but now I understood this test was for myself, I shouldn't have gone with my jealousy and took this step, I should have just come clean and talk about it with Arya then nothing like this will happen.
At-least this test taught me something and it also made our relation more solidified.
"I love you Arya" I whispered.
He exhale a breath "I love you forever and a day".
***
Next day, Brother Krishna visited us with Satyabhama sister in law, my eyes shined with tears and I run in their direction, Brother Krishna laughed and opened his arms embracing me in a bone crushing hug, "I see you have missed me so much" he said with a soft smile on his face, I broke the hug, a permanent smile on my face seeing my brother after so long. Then I hugged Satyabhama sister in law, I was happy to see her, the last time I met her was in Dwarka. Then they both went to see my family, it was such a reunion.
We sat under the Banyan tree, "Abhimanyu are with us in Dwarka now. He is a splendid kshatriya and a better archer than you, Arjuna!" Brother Krishna said with pride, my heart filled with happiness hearing about my son and his abilities. I looked at Arya, his eyes also shining with pride and a delighted smile on his face. Tears appeared in my eyes but I kept them at bay, I won't cry until I met him in person. That day I will cry my heart out hugging my baby, my little warrior.
"Draupadi, your sons have also come to Dwaraka to study archery with me. Dhrishtadyumna brought them from Kampilya and each one is an image of his father. Sometimes I feel you five are with me in my city, but grown younger!" he said turning his gaze at Krishne, tears rolled down from her eyes as she heard about her sons whom she haven't met for almost twelve years. Seeing her cry, Sister Satyabhama took her away in the house to console her, she needed some one to assure her and Satyabhama sister knows about her sons, she will surely handle her. Then conversation moved on lighter note. "Yes, Bheema! Just one year more and we shall let you loose on the enemy like a tempest of your father. But now, Arjuna, I am agog to hear about your stay in Devaloka. I have heard so many versions of it and each one so different, that one would hardly think they were the same story. So tell me yourself, all of it" he asked putting his arms around Brother Bheem with a laugh, Arya again recited his adventure from Amravati.
Brother Krishna stayed with us in the Kamyaka for some weeks and it was a happy time. The wildest beasts of the jungle would come to the hermitage and stand gazing at him. Deer would walk right up to him, nuzzle their faces in his hand, as he stroked them and spoke to them just as if they were human children.
One day, I was sitting beside him and he was stroking a rabbit in his arms, it was a serene scene how he was talking to it, "Are you peaceful now?" Brother asked without looking at me, I exhaled a deep breath "I was wrong and now I have realized my mistake" I responded in soft voice, he extend his hands and rabbit jumped from his arms running in the forest, he smiled and put his arm around my shoulder. "No Prakrite, you weren't wrong, we only get jealous when we love someone so much but some times this jealousy breaks the relationship but you my dear sister has come victorious" he said looking at front, at his statement the guilt which was in my heart vanished.
"Partha and your relationship is strengthen more now by this test" he said. I finally smiled and put my head on his shoulder.
"And there is one more positive thing came out of this" he said with a secretive smile on his face, I pulled my head away from his shoulder and looked at him in confusion.
"What is that? Brother Krishna" I asked.
"You have found your disguise for Agyatvasa" he said with a raised eyebrow. I furrowed my eyebrow in confusion but then it clicked and I grinned at the revelation.
Manha!